LATEST ADDITIONS

Mark Henninger  |  Jun 19, 2023
TCL is launching five new soundbars in its Q Class and S Class collections. With this launch, the company aims to supplement its popular televisions with enhanced audio capabilities.
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Jun 19, 2023
After decades of head scratching, chin rubbing, and extensively consulting the Magic 8-Ball, experts now agree that there is no such thing as a free lunch. However, somewhat unexpectedly, we now have free TVs. If you guessed that there are strings attached, you would be correct. Very correct.

Daniel Kumin  |  Jun 16, 2023

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $1,699

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Audyssey XT32 room correction, with extra-cost Dirac Live option
9 powered channels enable a full Atmos/DTS:X layout
4 discrete subwoofer outputs to integrate and EQ multiple subs
Handy global-preset feature
Minus
HEOS app required for streaming music services
Non-backlit remote

THE VERDICT
All the important features, enough channels for Atmos/X, and enough watts for a large majority of systems, all with top-shelf sonics, and all for a reasonable price.

For at least two decades now, designers have been managing to deliver more and more features, power, and audio/video finesse, for fewer and fewer dollars—or at least, no more—with every passing model year. Denon’s latest lineup ably illustrates the trend and the one in the spotlight here, the $1700 AVR-X3800H, is going to hit a lot of budget sweet-spots.

Chris Chiarella  |  Jun 16, 2023
Generations, 118 mins.
Picture
Sound
Extras
First Contact, 111 mins.
Picture
Sound
Extras
Insurrection, 103 mins.
Picture
Sound
Extras
Nemisis, 116 mins.
Picture
Sound
Extras

Like The Original Series before it, Star Trek: The Next Generation was a product of its time. Whereas Kirk & Co. embraced broad drama and the two-fisted clichés of ‘60s television on their space-faring adventures, Next Gen was more refined, drawing upon our greater understanding of science fact and taking lots and lots of time to discuss the characters’ feelings, too.

Barb Gonzalez  |  Jun 14, 2023
HBO Max is now just Max. Beyond the name change, Max combines Discovery Plus and HBO Max content. Not all content is available from the numerous Discovery-owned channels. Plus, you'll need the Max Ultimate plan to get more than a couple of dozen movie titles in 4K UHD. 
Chris Chiarella  |  Jun 13, 2023
Overall Rating

As editor Mark Henninger and I discuss on the regular, physical media has become not only about entertainment but collectability, and so we have seen the arrival of new editions that look snazzy on the shelf and that we can flaunt to our friends. Quite a few of the discs I've reviewed recently for S&V have arrived in step-up steelbook cases adorned with exclusive, genuinely inspired artwork. (Take that, streaming!)

Thomas J. Norton  |  Jun 13, 2023
Among the many time-sinks to be found on YouTube are predictions of the future, particularly those made years or even decades ago and anticipating what life today would be like. It's fascinating to revisit the 1950s vision of the "home of tomorrow."
Mark Henninger  |  Jun 12, 2023
One of the best demos I heard at CES 2023 was Dirac Live demonstrating its Active Room Treatment (ART) technology. Now, StormAudio has flipped the switch and activated the feature in its ISP platform, meaning it works with all StormAudio processors and AVRs with firmware 4.5 on up and is included at no additional fee on any products purchased January 1 2023 onward.
Mike Mettler  |  Jun 09, 2023
Performances
Sound
Steven Wilson has long been a man with a mission to push musical boundaries and stretch the limits of our listening expectations with his own music. He also has a passion for championing releases from other artists who have been underexposed or overlooked entirely, so is it really any wonder Wilson is behind a new and quite, well, intriguing import-only box set compilation Intrigue — Steven Wilson Presents: Progressive Sounds in UK Alternative Music 1979-89? All told, Intrigue presents 58 tracks spread across 5-plus listening hours on a 4CD set from Edsel Records.
Bob Ankosko  |  Jun 08, 2023
Just in time for summer, LG has added a portable 4K smart projector to its CineBeam lineup and is pairing it with a free Xboom 360 Bluetooth speaker valued at $300 on orders placed through June 11.

Pages

X